Down underA married Indian taxi driver who repeatedly tried to grab and kiss a female passenger has avoided deportation in an administrative appeals tribunal ruling.
Jagdeep Singh, 34, was detained last month after he was removed from his home in Lalor, Melbourne's north, but escaped punishment when tribunal boss John Logan threw him a lifeline, the Daily Telegraph reports.
He was initially granted a bridging visa - but Immigration Minister Peter Dutton cancelled it again - and he is believed to be still awaiting deportation.
Singh assaulted the woman after picking her up from Melbourne's Crown casino and driving her to her house in Clayton, Melbourne's south-east - about a 27 minute trip.
When the girl asked him to put the cab meter on, Singh told her she should not worry because another arrangement could be worked out.
Singh used his left hand to reach behind to the girl, grabbing her leg and touching her hand.
She repeatedly told him 'no' before she managed to push him away.
When the taxi reached the girl's home she gave Singh money and left the taxi, but the ordeal was not over.
Singh jumped out of the taxi and followed her.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, pulling her in towards his body.
He refused the money and told her 'please, let's work something out'.
The woman again told him 'no' and urged him to take the money.
Singh then leaned in to kiss the woman on the neck, before grabbing her from behind and pressing himself up against her.
Singh continued his attempts to kiss the woman, pushing her inside and against a staircase, before kissing her neck and face.
Singh's harassment only stopped when the girl's screams caught the attention of her housemate.
Singh was given an 18-month community service order in December 2015. He was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community service.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton attempted to deport Singh following the attack but was rebuffed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which ruled against his deportation despite finding 'it was apparent to the Tribunal that the applicant showed no remorse in relation to the criminal offence'.
AAT senior member Miriam Holmes reinstated Singh's visa in November last year, noting the cancellation of his visa would have adverse effects to his psychological condition.
Ms Holmes said Singh's wife would also suffer emotional hardship should her husband's visa be cancelled.
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